Kelly_B

When the first thought of camping came into my mind I started making a list of what all we need to take....that list is piling into a few pages on Microsoft Word! I feel like we're having to bring the whole house!

We have a van & 2 young kids! I have several plastic bins & thought I could take out the 3rd bench in the van to have more floor space. Then compile everything inside the bins & label them: dry food/cooking; first aid; clothes; etc. Then as we unload the van we can simply carry the bins to our camp site & we could bungee cord them tight (to keep critters out). They could be used as small tables for the girls to eat on or use for games or could be used as a foot stool.

What ways do you organize for your camping trips (especially if you have kids)?

Rendezvous2000

Sounds just like us! We also use the tub concept. We made our first trip in years the past weekend and decided we were trying to take the whole house. With us, it's the grandkids that we try to take too much for. I've spent the last day or so sorting through and making "we need it" and "we can do without it" staks. We use the tubs for tables and night stands in our tent as well. We also lable them, kitchen, clothing, bedding, dry and canned goods. I too would like to hear if someone has a better method.

campermom

Hey there fellow T.C.W.K. (Tent campers with kids) We have and Xterra and it's just a Mom and a 7 year old. I fold down one of the back seats and load in the following.

Very large clear deep bin with lid containing "Gear Box"
lantern
propane
electric cord
twine
table cloth
stew pot with mixing bowl and smaller bowl inside ( with lid)
2 air mattresses and pump
hammer

slender clear box with hinged lid that you use under the bed "Chuck Box"
knife in sheath, cutting board
utensils in old metal lunch box for clean storage
plates, paper towels,
spices, foil, ziplocs, trash bags, pam, frying pan,
measuring cup, 2 coffee cups ( good for soups )
unscented baby wipes, hand soap, dish towel, small bungee cord, dish soap, and plastic scrubber ( won't get moldy)
and various pantry items, pie filling, bisquick mix, rice, pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned veggies, V-8 juice, cereal, bread, chips, raisins, pudding, crackers, jerky, anything you can keep unrefrigerated. Pack this so the bread, fruit, and chips don't get crushed. Tortillas are a great camping instead of regular bread.

2 coolers, each labeled. the best one for food, the other for drinks.
We have 2 coleman extremes from walmart. I get a block of ice for the food cooler and add cubes last.

always in the truck, matches, toilet paper, bug spray, sunscreen, first aid kit, and river shoes ( under the driver seat).

The large "Gear" box goes in on the right, with tent, (And sometimes the canopy) and chairs going down the center. The "Chuck" box goes on top of the gear box. Behind that, 2 coolers, with camp stove on its side, and folding table on its side between the coolers. The sleeping bags go right behind the back seat. The clothing goes in a rolling back pack style bag in the back, on top of a cooler. Secure the load to prevent shifting with a couple bungees from ceiling to floor. It's not nice to have the chuck box slide into your sons head.

Extra beverages go on the floor boards. Firewood can go on the roof or be bought upon arrival. Longer trips require more gear. That is what the front seat and the remaining space in the rear and roof can be used for.

Last summer we did 9 nights out and only needed to replenish the ice. I had everything we needed. Now, summer camping is easier. Add the fan, and beach towels and thats about it. I pre-packed the meats in single portions and froze them. The meals we intended to eat last were at the bottom of the cooler.

All the gear gets put away in the garage the same way upon returning from each trip. It's always ready when you are. We could be ready to rock in under 30 minutes. Pack the clothes, grab some food, load up, add ice and gas.....and we're gone!

Hope this helps some.

DALEoutside

I totally agree with campermom. I will post my camping list below. It looks like a lot of stuff, but most of it fits in one basic gear box, and one cooking supply box. The tent and our clothing duffels gt bungeed to the top of the car (we have an Explorer). The thing that takes up the most space is wood. We bring our own from home, so obviously it's easier to come home than it is to go. Once you get this gear assembled and in a couple of Rubbermaid boxes, all subsequent trips will be so easy to grab and go.

I think you also live and learn. The kids don't need a lot of toys, just a bug catcher and some shovels. Mine love the bug catcher and binoculars. I also keep the menu pretty simple. I don't want to have to take a propane stove, so cooking over the fire necessitates simplicity. Burgers, steaks, dogs. One time I took my big cast iron pan and thought I'd make bacon and eggs over the fire. What a mess! The bacon took forever to crisp, then I had to set it aside to make the eggs and they stuck to the pan like glue. I decided from then on that breakfast is cereal or cinnamon rolls or something easy. This last trip to McKinney Falls the racoons sucessfully lifted the lid on the cooler even though it was weighted down and ate all the homemade muffins I had brought!

Anyways, here's my list:

Camping Basics
_____ flashlight adult/kid
_____ lantern
_____ batteries / bulbs
_____ lighter
_____ bug spray
_____ rope
_____ lounge chairs
_____ pocket knife
_____ map
_____ money, credit card, ID
_____ backpack
_____ ax/sledge hammer
_____ clothespins
_____ electrical cords
_____ duct tape
_____ binoculars
_____ broom/dustpan
_____ bungi cords
_____ scissors

Recreation
_____ sport gear
_____ fishing pole & gear
_____ camera & batteries
_____ books, mags, cards
_____ guitar
_____ life jackets, floaties
_____ beach towels
_____ DVD player & movies
_____ cigars

Personal (duffel)
_____ sunscreen
_____ sunglasses
_____ lip balm
_____ tissue
_____ washcloth
_____ towels
_____ toothpaste, toothbrush
_____ deodorant
_____ soap & hand soap
_____ shampoo/conditioner
_____ comb/brush
_____ hair clips/bands
_____ razor/shaving cream
_____ toilet paper
_____ prescription medicines
_____ nail snips
_____ contacts, eye drops
_____ moisturizer

Medical
_____ first aid kit
_____ Hydrogen Peroxide
_____ Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin
_____ Tums
_____ allergy medicine
_____ itch spray

Camping Fire
_____ wood
_____ kindling/starters
_____ shovel

Sleeping
_____ ground cloth
_____ tarp
_____ tent/poles/stakes
_____ pillow
_____ air mattress/sheets
_____ inflator/air pump
_____ extra blanket
_____ picnic quilt

Camper's Clothing
_____ play/camping clothes
_____ rain poncho
_____ umbrella
_____ sweats pants / shirt
_____ swimsuit
_____ water shoes
_____ hat/visor

Camp Kitchen
_____ ice
_____ coolers
_____ storage containers
_____ paper plates
_____ bowls
_____ plastic silverware
_____ pots/pans
_____ pot holders
_____ coffee pot
_____ mugs/cups
_____ paper towels
_____ aluminum foil
_____ dish pan, sponge, soap, towels
_____ plastic trash bags
_____ ziplock bags
_____ skewers & corn spikes
_____ tablecloth & clips
_____ water, water bottles
_____ charcoal, wood chips
_____ grill grate

Cooking Utensils
_____ spatula
_____ tongs
_____ big spoon
_____ cork screw
_____ bottle opener
_____ cutting knife, board
_____ can opener

Children
_____ games and toys
_____ paper, pencils, crayons
_____ buckets and shovels
_____ diapers and wipes
_____ raggies & pacis
_____ sippee cups

Dog
_____ leash, run cord
_____ food, bowl
_____ bug spray
_____ toys, tennis balls

Food
_____ seasonings
_____ sugar, creamer, coffee
_____ condiments (mayo. must. kats)
_____ beer, wine, spirits
_____ snacks
_____ fruit
_____ sodas
_____ milk
_____ MENU SPECIFICS
_____
_____

Kelly_B

WOW! Thanks for the ideas on what to take while camping.
Now I just need to get my husband in gear to go! The girls have been ready since we camped in the backyard acouple weeks ago!

campermom

Here is something I forgot. Instead of bringing bottles of condiments, keep the stuff from Mc Donalds and Chick Fil A. You won't need to refrigerate it, you'll just use it and toss it. ( And it was free).